Going Live with Production Mode
Switching to Real Deliveries - Production Mode
Ready to serve real customers? Let's go live!
__________________________________________________
Before You Go Live
Checklist:
- Tested thoroughly in Sandbox mode
- At least 3-5 successful test orders
- Team trained on fulfillment process
- Pickup locations set up in portal
- Shipment zones configured
- Payment method added to portal account
- Webhooks configured (recommended)
- Ready for real customers!
Not Ready?
- Go back to Article 3.6 (Sandbox Testing)
- Practice more
- No rush!
__________________________________________________
Step 1: Get Production API Key
In Shaloz Portal:
- Log into portal.shaloz.com
- Go to Settings
- Scroll to "API Keys" section
- Click "Create API Key"
- Environment: Select "Production"
- Name: "WooCommerce Production"
- Click "Generate"
- Copy the Public Key (starts with pk_live_)
- Save it securely - you won't see it again!
__________________________________________________
Step 2: Update WooCommerce Settings
Go to Plugin Settings:
- WordPress → WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping
- Click your shipping zone
- Click "Shaloz Shipping"
Make These Changes:
1. Change Environment:
- API Environment: Change from "Sandbox" to "Production"
2. Update API Key:
- API Key field: Delete old Sandbox key
- Paste new Production key
- Should start with pk_live_
3. Test Connection:
- Click "Test Connection" button
- Should show: "API key is valid! Connection successful."
- If error, double-check you copied entire Production key
4. Save:
- Scroll to bottom
- Click "Save changes"
- Success message appears
You're Now Live!
__________________________________________________
Step 3: Test with One Real Order
Don't Announce Yet - Test First:
Place a Real Test Order:
- Use your own address (someone on your team)
- Place real order on your store
- Complete actual payment
- This will be a REAL delivery!
Watch It Work:
- Order appears in WooCommerce
- Syncs to Shaloz Portal (Production mode)
- You fulfill it (will charge your payment method)
- Real driver accepts
- Driver picks up from your location
- Delivers to test address
- Delivery completes!
Verify Everything:
- Order synced correctly
- Rate was accurate
- Driver found your location
- Delivery completed successfully
- WooCommerce updated to "Completed"
- Customer (you) received tracking updates
Problems?
- See Troubleshooting section below
- Fix before opening to all customers
All Good?
- Move to Step 4!
__________________________________________________
Step 4: Go Fully Live
Announce to Customers:
- Update website: "Now offering same-day delivery!"
- Email subscribers about new shipping option
- Social media post
- Update product pages
Monitor Closely:
- First week: Check every order
- Watch for any issues
- Be ready to fulfill orders promptly
- Respond to customer questions
Customer Service Ready:
- Train team on Shaloz
- How to track orders
- How to cancel if needed
- Common questions (see FAQ)
__________________________________________________
Best Practices for Launch
Soft Launch (Recommended):
- Don't advertise broadly at first
- Let organic orders come in
- Handle first 10-20 orders smoothly
- Then ramp up marketing
Monitor Dashboard:
- Check Shaloz Portal daily (multiple times)
- Fulfill orders promptly
- Watch for pending orders
- Track completion rates
Set Expectations:
- Delivery times are estimates
- Traffic can delay
- Be honest with customers
- Under-promise, over-deliver
__________________________________________________
After Going Live
First Day:
- Check portal every hour
- Fulfill orders same-day
- Monitor customer feedback
- Fix any small issues immediately
First Week:
- Review all completed deliveries
- Check for patterns or problems
- Gather customer feedback
- Adjust if needed
First Month:
- Analyze delivery data
- Calculate costs vs revenue
- Optimize pickup locations if needed
- Expand coverage if successful
__________________________________________________
Common Post-Launch Adjustments
If Getting Too Many Orders:
- Great problem to have!
- Consider hiring help for fulfillment
- Add team members in portal
- Optimize your packing process
If Not Getting Enough Orders:
- Check rates are competitive
- Verify shipping zones include key areas
- Market the fast delivery option
- Make method title appealing
If Delivery Costs Too High:
- Analyze delivery data
- Consider adding pickup location closer to customers
- Adjust shipment zones
- Contact help.shaloz.com about pricing
__________________________________________________
Troubleshooting Production Issues
Problem: First Real Order Didn't Sync
Check:
- Verify you switched to Production mode
- Using Production API key (not Sandbox)
- Portal toggled to Production (top-right)
- Order status is "Processing" in WooCommerce
- Check WooCommerce order notes for errors
Problem: Rate Much Higher Than Expected
Causes:
- Customer far from pickup location
- Production rates calculated differently than Sandbox
- Check Rate Calculator in portal to verify
Solutions:
- Add pickup location closer to that area
- Adjust shipment zones
- Communicate delivery areas clearly
Problem: Driver Can't Find Pickup Location
Fix:
- Verify pickup location address correct in portal
- Add special instructions if needed
- Call driver to provide directions
- Update address in portal for future orders
Problem: Customer Complains About Delivery
Common Issues:
- Wrong address provided
- Customer not home
- Package left in wrong place
Resolution:
- Check delivery photo proof
- Contact customer to resolve
- Issue refund if appropriate
- Adjust process to prevent repeat
__________________________________________________
Switching Back to Sandbox (If Needed)
If You Need to Test Again:
Easy to Switch:
- WooCommerce Settings → Shaloz Shipping
- Change "API Environment" to "Sandbox"
- Update API Key to Sandbox key
- Save
- Now in test mode again
When to Switch Back:
- Testing new features
- Training new team members
- Troubleshooting issues
- Never for real customer orders!
__________________________________________________
Monitoring Success
Key Metrics:
- Number of orders using Shaloz
- Delivery completion rate
- Average delivery cost
- Customer feedback/ratings
- Revenue from Shaloz-enabled orders
Tools:
- Shaloz Portal dashboard
- WooCommerce reports
- Customer reviews
Review Monthly:
- Is Shaloz profitable?
- Are customers happy?
- Should we expand coverage?
- Any improvements needed?
__________________________________________________
Need Help?
Production Issues?
- First order failed? Contact help.shaloz.com immediately
- Rates seem wrong? Use Rate Calculator to verify
- Technical problems? help.shaloz.com
Success Tips?
- help.shaloz.com
- We want you to succeed!
__________________________________________________
Congratulations!
You're now live with Shaloz same-day delivery!
Comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.